Electronic apparatus, storage medium, and method for displaying image

ABSTRACT

An electronic apparatus, storage medium, and method are disclosed. An electronic apparatus includes a display and at least one processor. The display comprises a first display mode in which a plurality of images are displayed alongside each other. The at least one processor determines importance of an image. The at least one processor determines a display size of each of the plurality of images. The at least one processor increases the display size of an image as the importance of the image is higher.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to JapanesePatent Application No. 2015-034765, filed on Feb. 5, 2015, entitled“ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, CONTROL PROGRAM, AND METHOD FOR OPERATINGELECTRONIC APPARATUS”. The contents of which are incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an electronic apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Technologies have conventionally been disclosed that display a pluralityof images alongside each other.

SUMMARY

An electronic apparatus, storage medium, and method are disclosed. Inone embodiment, an electronic apparatus comprises a display and at leastone processor. The display comprises a first display mode in which aplurality of images are displayed alongside each other. The at least oneprocessor determines importance of an image. The at least one processordetermines a display size of each of the plurality of images. The atleast one processor increases the display size of an image as theimportance of the image is higher.

In one embodiment, a non-transitory storage medium readable by acomputer stores a control program that controls an electronic apparatus.The storage medium storing the control program is configured to causethe electronic apparatus to execute (a) displaying a plurality of imagesalongside each other, (b) determining importance of an image, and (c)determining a display size of each of the plurality of images. In thestep (c), the display size of an image is increased as the importance ofthe image is higher.

In one embodiment, a method for displaying an image comprises (a)displaying a plurality of images alongside each other, (b) determiningimportance of an image, and (c) determining a display size of each ofthe plurality of images. In the step (c), the display size of an imageis increased as the importance of the image is higher.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an example of anexternal appearance of an electronic apparatus.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic rear view of the example of the externalappearance of the electronic apparatus.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of an electrical configuration of theelectronic apparatus.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a functional block configured in acontroller.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart showing an example of an operation of theelectronic apparatus.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an example of a list display screen.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an example of how a selectivelymanipulated image is enlarged and displayed.

FIG. 8 illustrates how a topmost continuously shot image is switchedsequentially.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart showing an example of an operation of animportance determiner.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart showing an example of another operationof the importance determiner.

FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart showing still an example of stillanother operation of the importance determiner.

FIG. 12 schematically illustrates an example of the list display screen.

FIG. 13 schematically illustrates another example of the list displayscreen.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a configuration of an arrangementdeterminer.

FIG. 15 illustrates a flowchart showing an example of an operation ofthe arrangement determiner.

FIGS. 16 to 20 illustrate the operation of the arrangement determiner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION External Appearance of Electronic Apparatus

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an example of anexternal appearance of an electronic apparatus 1. FIG. 2 illustrates aschematic rear view of the example of the external appearance of theelectronic apparatus 1. The electronic apparatus 1 is, for example, amobile phone such as a smartphone.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electronic apparatus 1 includes acover panel 2 located on the front surface of the electronic apparatus 1and a case 3 to which the cover panel 2 is attached. The cover panel 2and the case 3 constitute a casing of the electronic apparatus 1. Theelectronic apparatus 1 may have a substantially rectangular plate shapein a plan view.

The cover panel 2 constitutes a portion other than a peripheral edgeportion in a front portion of the electronic apparatus 1. The case 3constitutes the peripheral edge portion of the front portion, thelateral portion, and the rear portion of the electronic apparatus 1. Thecase 3 is made of, for example, resin or resin and metal. The resin maybe, for example, a polycarbonate resin, ABS resin, or nylon resin. Themetal may be, for example, aluminum.

The cover panel 2 may be shaped into a plate and have a substantiallyrectangular shape in a plan view. The cover panel 2 is made of, forexample, acrylic resin, glass, or sapphire. Herein, sapphire refers to asingle crystal containing alumina (Al₂O₃) as a main component, which isa single crystal whose purity of Al₂O₃ is approximately greater than orequal to 90% in the present specification. The purity of Al₂O₃ ispreferably greater than or equal to 99% which provides a resistance todamage of the cover panel 2 and a reduction in cracks or chipping. Otherexamples of the material for the cover panel 2 include crystallinematerials such as diamond, zirconia, titania, crystal, lithiumtantalate, and aluminum oxynitride. These materials are preferablysingle crystal materials whose purity is approximately greater than orequal to 90% which provides a resistance to damage of the cover panel 2and a reduction in cracks or chipping.

The cover panel 2 may be a composite panel (hereinafter, also referredto as a laminated panel) of a multilayer structure including a layer ofsapphire. For example, the cover panel 2 may be a composite panel of atwo-layered structure configured of a layer made of sapphire(hereinafter, also referred to as a sapphire panel) which is located onthe surface of the electronic apparatus 1 and a layer made of glass(hereinafter, also referred to as a glass panel) which is attached tothe sapphire panel. The cover panel 2 may be a laminated panel of athree-layered structure configured of a first sapphire panel located onthe surface of the electronic apparatus 1, a glass panel attached to thefirst sapphire panel, and a second sapphire panel attached to the glasspanel. Or, the cover panel 2 may include a layer made of crystallinematerials other than sapphire such as diamond, zirconia, titania,crystal, lithium tantalite, and aluminum oxynitride.

The cover panel 2 includes a transparent and/or light transmissivedisplay area (also referred to as a display window) 2 a transmitting thedisplay of a display 12 described below. The display area 2 a may have,for example, a rectangular shape in a plan view. The visible lightoutput from the display 12 passes through the display area 2 a and isemitted to the outside of the electronic apparatus 1. A user of theelectronic apparatus 1 can visually recognize the information displayedon the display 12 through the display area 2 a from the outside of theelectronic apparatus 1. A portion of a peripheral edge portion 2 b thatsurrounds the display area 2 a in the cover panel 2 is opaque and/or nottransparent because of, for example, a film or the like that is attachedthereto. The portion of the peripheral edge portion 2 b is accordingly anon-display portion that does not transmit the display of the display12.

To the rear surface of the cover panel 2 is attached a touch panel 13described below. The display 12 is attached to the surface on theopposite side to the cover panel 2 of the touch panel 13. That is, thedisplay 12 is installed on the rear surface of the cover panel 2 withthe touch panel 130 therebetween. The user of the electronic apparatus 1can provide various instructions to the electronic apparatus 1 bymanipulating the display area 2 a of the cover panel 2 using a finger orthe like.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a first transparent portion 8 a for the frontlens is provided at an upper end of the cover panel 2, through which animaging lens of a front imager 18 a described below is visuallyrecognizable from the outside of the electronic apparatus 1. Inaddition, the cover panel 2 has a receiver hole 5 provided at its upperend and a microphone hole 4 provided at its lower end.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a second transparent portion 8 b for the rearsurface is provided at the upper end of a rear surface 3 a of the case3, through which an imaging lens of a rear imager 18 b is visuallyrecognizable from the outside of the electronic apparatus 1. At thelower end of the rear surface 3 a of the electronic apparatus 1 areprovided speaker holes 9.

Electrical Configuration of Electronic Apparatus

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an example of an electricalconfiguration of the electronic apparatus 1. As illustrated in FIG. 3,the electronic apparatus 1 includes a controller 10, a wirelesscommunication module 11, a display 12, a touch panel 13, a microphone14, a receiver 15, a location information acquirer 16, a timer 17, afront imager 18 a, a rear imager 18 b, and an external speaker 19. Theseelements of the electronic apparatus 1 are each accommodated in the case3.

The controller 10 is a type of computer and includes, for example, aCentral Processing Unit (CPU) 101, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) 102,and a storage 103. The controller 10 can manage the overall operation ofthe electronic apparatus 1 by controlling other elements of theelectronic apparatus 1.

The storage 103 includes a non-transitory recording medium readable bythe CPU 101 and the DSP 102 such as a Read Only Memory (ROM) and aRandom Access Memory (RAM). The storage 103 stores a main program forcontrolling the electronic apparatus 1, a plurality of applicationprograms (hereinafter, also merely referred to as applications), and thelike. The storage 103 also stores a plurality of images to be displayedon the display 12. Various functions of the controller 10 can berealized by the CPU 101 and the DSP 102 executing various programs inthe storage 103.

In addition to the ROM and the RAM, the storage 103 may include anon-transitory recording medium, which is readable by a computer. Thestorage 103 may include, for example, a compact hard disk drive and aSolid State Drive (SSD). A part or the whole of the functions of thecontroller 10 may be realized by hardware that does not require softwareto realize such functions.

The wireless communication module 11 includes an antenna 11 a. In thewireless communication module 11, the antenna 11 a can receive a signalfrom a mobile phone different from the electronic apparatus 1 or asignal from a communication device such as a web server connected to theInternet via a base station. The wireless communication module 11 canperform amplification processing and down conversion on the receptionsignal received by the antenna 11 a and output the signal to thecontroller 10. The controller 10 can perform demodulation processing orthe like on the input reception signal to acquire the informationcontained in the reception signal.

The wireless communication module 11 can perform up-converting andamplification processing on a transmission signal generated in thecontroller 10 and wirelessly transmit the processed transmission signalfrom the antenna 11 a. The transmission signal from the antenna 11 a isreceived by a communication device connected to the Internet or a mobilephone different from the electronic apparatus 1 via the base station.

The display 12 is formed of, for example, a liquid crystal display or anorganic electro luminescent (EL) display. The display 12 can displayvarious pieces of information such as characters, symbols, figures, andimages by control of the controller 10. The information displayed by thedisplay 12 is visually recognizable by the user of the electronicapparatus 1 through the display area 2 a of the cover panel 2.

The touch panel 13 can detect a manipulation by a manipulator such as afinger which is performed on the display area 2 a of the cover panel 2.The touch panel 13 is, for example, a projection type electrostaticcapacitance touch panel. When the user manipulates the display area 2 aof the cover panel 2 with the manipulator such as a finger, amanipulation signal according to the manipulation is input from thetouch panel 13 to the controller 10. The controller 10 can specify thecontents of the manipulation performed on the display area 2 a based ona manipulation signal from the touch panel 13 and perform processingaccording to the specified contents. The user can also manipulate thedisplay area 2 a with a manipulator other than a finger, for example, apen for electrostatic touch panel such as a stylus pen, to providevarious instructions to the electronic apparatus 1.

The location information acquirer 16 can acquire the current location ofthe electronic apparatus 1. The location information acquirer 16 is, forexample, a device based on a Global Positioning System (GPS). Thelocation information acquirer 16 can receive a GPS signal from a GPSsatellite to obtain the location information indicative of the currentlocation of the electronic apparatus 1 based on the GPS signal. Thelocation information includes, for example, latitude information andlongitude information.

The timer 17 can count the current time as well as current date. Thetimer 17 includes, for example, a real time clock (RTC). The timer 17can output, to the controller 10, the time information indicative of thetime of counting and the date information indicative of the date ofcounting.

The front imager 18 a includes an imaging lens and an imaging sensor.The front imager 18 a can image a still image and a dynamic image basedon the control by the controller 10. The imaging lens of the frontimager 18 a is visually recognizable from the first transparent portion8 a located on the front surface of the electronic apparatus 1. Thefront imager 18 a therefore can image an object in front of the surface,that is, on the cover panel 2 side, of the electronic apparatus 1.

The rear imager 18 b includes an imaging lens and an imaging sensor. Therear imager 18 b can image a still image and a dynamic image based onthe control by the controller 10. The imaging lens of the rear imager 18b is visually recognizable from the second transparent portion 8 blocated on the rear surface 3 a of the case 3. The rear imager 18 btherefore can image an object on the rear surface 3 a side of the case3. Hereinafter, each of the front imager 18 a and the rear imager 18 bmay be merely referred to as an imager 18.

The microphone 14 can convert a sound from the outside of the electronicapparatus 1 into an electrical sound signal and then output the soundsignal to the controller 10. The sound from the outside of theelectronic apparatus 1 is received, for example, by the microphone 14through the microphone hole 4 located on the front surface of the coverpanel 2.

The external speaker 19 is, for example, a dynamic speaker. The externalspeaker 19 can convert the electric sound signal from the controller 10into a sound and then output the sound. The sound from the externalspeaker 19 is, for example, output to the outside through the speakerholes 9 located on the rear surface 3 a of the case 3. The volume of thesound output through the speaker holes 9 is set to such a degree thatthe sound can be heard in a place separated from the electronicapparatus 1.

The receiver 15 outputs a reception sound and includes, for example, adynamic speaker. The receiver 15 can convert an electric sound signalfrom the controller 10 into a sound and then output the sound. The soundoutput from the receiver 15 is output, for example, to the outsidethrough the receiver hole 5 located on the front surface of theelectronic apparatus 1. The volume of the sound output through thereceiver hole 5 is set to be lower than, for example, the volume of thesound output from the external speaker 19 through the speaker holes 9.

A piezoelectric vibrating element may be provided in place of thereceiver 15. The piezoelectric vibrating element is controlled by thecontroller 10 and can vibrate based on a sound signal. The piezoelectricvibrating element is provided, for example, on the rear surface of thecover panel 2 and can cause the cover panel 2 to vibrate by thevibration of itself based on the sound signal. The user causes his/herear to approach the cover panel 2, so that the vibration of the coverpanel 2 is transmitted to the user as a voice. In this case, thereceiver hole 5 is not required.

Operation of Electronic Apparatus

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a functional block configured in thecontroller 10. The storage 103 stores an image management applicationfor the user to browse or organize a plurality of images (includingstill images and dynamic images) within the storage 103. The imagemanagement application is executed by the controller 10 that executesthe main program, so that an image manager 100 is configured in thecontroller 10 as illustrated in FIG. 4. The image manager 100 includesan importance determiner 110, a continuously shot image specifier 120, asimilar image specifier 130, a display size determiner 140, and anarrangement determiner 150. During the execution of the image managementapplication, the display 12 can operate, by the control of thecontroller 10, in a list display mode in which a plurality of images aredisplayed alongside each other. During the execution of the imagemanagement application, also, the display 12 can operate in anenlargement display mode in which out of a plurality of images displayedin the list display mode, only an image selected by the user is enlargedand displayed. Images are displayed larger in the enlargement displaymode than in the list display mode. The list display mode is referred toas a first display mode, and the enlargement display mode is referred toas a second display mode.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart showing an example of the operation ofthe electronic apparatus 1. The operation of the electronic apparatus 1will be described below in detail along the flowchart of FIG. 5.

In Step S1, first, the controller 10 executes (activates) the imagemanagement application in the storage 103. The display 12 displays, forexample, an initial screen (hereinafter, also referred to as a homescreen) in the initial state before the electronic apparatus 1 executesvarious applications. The display 12 displays a picture for executing anapplication (hereinafter, also referred to as an application executingpicture) in the home screen. The application executing picture mayinclude a picture referred to as an icon. When the touch panel 13detects a selection manipulation that is performed by the user on theapplication executing picture, displayed on the display 12, forexecuting the image management application, the controller 10 executesthe image management application in the storage 103.

The selection manipulation that is performed on the applicationexecuting picture displayed on the display 12 may be, for example, amanipulation in which the user causes the manipulator such as a fingerto approach the application executing picture displayed in the displayarea 2 a of the cover panel 2 and then causes the manipulator to moveaway from the application executing picture. In addition, the selectionmanipulation performed on the application executing picture may be, forexample, a manipulation in which the user causes the manipulator such asa finger to touch the application executing picture displayed in thedisplay area 2 a of the cover panel 2 and then causes the manipulator tomove away from the application executing picture. These manipulationsare referred to as tapping. The selection manipulation by tapping isused as the selection manipulation performed on an image displayed bythe display 12, in addition to the selection manipulation performed onthe application executing picture. A repetitive explanation of theselection manipulation by tapping will be omitted below.

When the image management application is executed as a result of theexecution of Step S1, in Steps S2 to S4, the image manager 100 executesa series of processing steps for operating the display 12 in the listdisplay mode. Specifically, in Step S2, first, the importance determiner110 determines the importance of each image to be displayed by thedisplay 12 for the user. In Step S3, next, based on the importancedetermined by the importance determiner 110, the display size determiner140 determines the display size of each image to be displayed by thedisplay 12 in the list display mode. The display size determiner 140increases the display size of an image as the importance of the image ishigher. In Step S4, next, the arrangement determiner 150 determinesarrangements of a plurality of images on the display screen(hereinafter, also referred to as a list display screen) in which theplurality of image are arranged and which is displayed by the display 12in the list display mode. The operations of the importance determiner110, the display size determiner 140, and the arrangement determiner 150will be described below in detail.

In Step S5, the display 12 operates in the list display mode by thecontrol of the controller 10. This causes the display 12 to display thelist display screen. FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an example of thelist display screen 20 a. Images 21 a to 21 m are arranged and displayedon the list display screen 20 a illustrated in FIG. 6. The images 21 ato 21 m are stored in the storage 103. In one embodiment, each of theimages 21 a to 21 m is, for example, an image obtained by scaling downan original image in the storage 103 and is also referred to as athumbnail image. In the illustration of FIG. 6, a plurality of images 21a to 21 m are arranged from the upper left along the raster direction ina chronological order of the date and time of image capturing. Out ofthe plurality of images 21 a to 21 m, accordingly, the image 21 a hasthe earliest date and time of image capturing. The order of arrangingimages is not limited to this order.

The display 12 displays a plurality of images in a plurality of displaysizes on the list display screen 20 a. In the illustration of FIG. 6,the display 12 displays the images 21 a to 21 m in three display sizes,namely first to third display sizes. Specifically, the images 21 b, 21 dto 21 j, 21 l, and 21 m are displayed in the first display size. Theimages 21 a and 21 c are displayed in the second display size. The image21 k is displayed in the third display size. The display size increasesin order of the first to third display sizes. As illustrated in FIG. 6,the display 12 displays a plurality of images varying in display size insuch a manner that these images are arranged on the list display screen20 a with the smallest possible gap. The display sizes of images and themethod for arranging images on the list display screen 20 a will bedescribed below in detail.

When many images are displayed on the list display screen 20 a, part ofthe list display screen 20 a is displayed in the display area 2 a. Inthis case, the user can scroll the list display screen 20 a to displaythe images, which have not been displayed in the display area 2 a, inthe display area 2 a.

When the touch panel 13 detects an application ending manipulation forending the image management application during the execution of theimage management application, the controller 10 ends the execution ofthe image management application. When the execution of the imagemanagement application ends, for example, a home screen appears on thedisplay 12. The application ending manipulation may be, for example, themanipulation of selecting a manipulation button, which is displayed bythe display 12, by the user to end the image management application. Theapplication ending manipulation is not limited to the touch manipulationperformed on the touch panel 13, which may be, for example, pressing ahard button located on the case 3. The description above is alsoapplicable to other manipulations below, and thus, a repetitivedescription will be omitted.

When the user selectively manipulates one of a plurality of imagesdisplayed on the list display screen 20 a displayed by the display 12during the execution of the image management application, the operationof the display 12 changes from the list display mode to the enlargementdisplay mode. In the enlargement display mode, the selectivelymanipulated image is enlarged and displayed.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an example of how an image selectivelymanipulated by the user is enlarged and displayed. In the illustrationof FIG. 7, the image 21 b displayed on the list display screen 20 a isselected, and an enlarged image 21 bb of the image 21 b is displayed inthe display area 2 a.

In this manner, the user can select an image in the list display screen20 a to cause the display 12 to enlarge and display the image.

When the touch panel 13 detects a predetermined manipulation forreturning the display 12 to the list display mode while the display 12is in the enlargement display mode, the operation mode of the display 12changes from the enlargement display mode to the list display mode.Consequently, the list display screen 20 a is displayed again on thedisplay 12.

When displaying a plurality of continuously shot images captured by onecontinuous shooting, which are specified by the continuously shot imagespecifier 120, the display 12 operating in the list display modedisplays a first image (hereinafter, also referred to as a firstsuperimposed image) including the plurality of continuously shot imagessuperimposed on one another. In the illustration of FIG. 6, the display12 displays a first superimposed image 21 a including four continuouslyshot images 21 aa to 21 ad superimposed on one another. For each ofthree continuously shot images behind the topmost continuously shotimage out of the four continuously shot images 21 aa to 21 ad, only itsright edge and lower edge are displayed.

The first superimposed image including a plurality of continuously shotimages superimposed on one another, which are captured by one continuousshooting, is displayed in this manner, thus allowing the user to easilyspecify whether the image displayed in the list display mode by thedisplay 12 is a continuously shot image. Moreover, a plurality ofcontinuously shot images captured by one continuous shooting aredisplayed in a smaller range of the list display screen 20 a, thusallowing the user to easily find an image other than images of acontinuously shot image group. The operation of the continuously shotimage specifier 120 and the first superimposed image will be describedbelow in detail.

The display 12 in the list display mode displays the first superimposedimage 21 a while sequentially switching a topmost continuously shotimage among the four continuously shot images 21 aa to 21 ad of thefirst superimposed image 21 a. FIG. 8 illustrates how a topmostcontinuously shot image is sequentially switched among the fourcontinuously shot images 21 aa to 21 ad of the first superimposed image21 a. FIG. 8 illustrates how a topmost image is sequentially switched intime series from left to right. First, the display 12 displays the firstsuperimposed image 21 a, which is the leftmost in FIG. 8. In the firstsuperimposed image 21 a, the continuously shot image 21 aa is thetopmost image out of the four continuously shot images 21 aa to 21 a d.The continuously shot images 21 aa to 21 ad are arranged and displayedfrom top to bottom in, for example, a chronological order of the dateand time of image capturing.

Next, the display 12 displays the first superimposed image 21 a, whichis the second from the left in FIG. 8. In the first superimposed image21 a, the continuously shot image 21 ab is the topmost image and thecontinuously shot image 21 aa is the bottommost image. Next, the display12 displays the first superimposed image 21 a, which is the third fromthe left in FIG. 8. In the first superimposed image 21 a, thecontinuously shot image 21 ac is the topmost image and the continuouslyshot images 21 ab is the bottommost image. Next, the display 12 displaysthe first superimposed image 21 a, which is the fourth from the left inFIG. 8. In the first superimposed image 21 a, the continuously shotimage 21 ad is the topmost image and the continuously shot image 21 acis the bottommost image. Next, the display 12 again displays the firstsuperimposed image 21 a, which is the leftmost in FIG. 8. Hereinafter,the first superimposed image 21 a is displayed in a similar manner. Thetopmost image is switched as described above, for example, everypredetermined time.

In this manner, the display 12 displays the first superimposed image 21a while sequentially switching a topmost continuously shot image among aplurality of continuously shot images captured in one continuousshooting, which are included in the first superimposed image 21 a. Thisallows the user to easily specify what images the respectivecontinuously shot images are.

When displaying a plurality of similar images specified by the similarimage specifier 130, whose dates and times of image capturing are closeto each other and which are similar to each other, the display 12operating in the list display mode displays a second image (hereinafter,also referred to as a second superimposed image) including the pluralityof similar image superimposed on one another. The second superimposedimage is displayed similarly to the first superimposed image. Thisallows the user to easily specify whether an image displayed in the listdisplay mode by the display 12 is a similar image. Moreover, a group ofsimilar images is displayed in a smaller range of the list displayscreen 20 a, thus allowing the user to easily find an image other thanimages of a similar image group. The operation of the similar imagespecifier 130 and the second superimposed image will be described belowin detail.

The display 12 operating in the list display mode displays a secondsuperimposed image while sequentially switching a topmost image among aplurality of similar images of the second superimposed image, similarlyto the first superimposed image. This allows the user to easily specifywhat images the respective similar images are. In one embodiment, thedisplay 12 displays the first superimposed image and the secondsuperimposed image while sequentially switching a topmost image.Alternatively, the display 12 may display the first superimposed imageand the second superimposed image without switching the topmost image ofat least one of the first and second superimposed images.

When displaying a dynamic image, the display 12 operating in the listdisplay mode displays the dynamic image while playing back the dynamicimage. In the illustration of FIG. 6, the images 21 c and 21 g aredynamic images. Each of the images 21 c and 21 b includes a dynamicimage playback control button 22. The user can manipulate the dynamicimage playback control button 22 to cause the electronic apparatus 1 toplay back a dynamic image or stop the playback of a dynamic image. Thedynamic image playback control button 22 is shown in the dynamic imagedisplayed on the list display screen 20 a, thus allowing the user toeasily specify whether an image displayed in the list display mode bythe display 12 is a dynamic image. A dynamic image is played back anddisplayed on the list display screen 20 a, thus allowing the user torecognize the contents of the dynamic image. The display 12 operating inthe list display mode may not show the dynamic image playback controlbutton 22 in a dynamic image but, when displaying a dynamic image, mayautomatically play back the dynamic image without being instructed bythe user. As illustrated in the image 21 c of FIG. 6, the dynamic imagemay include a seek bar 22 a indicative of the playback point of adynamic image. Alternatively, the user may manipulate the position of aslider 22 b of the seek bar 22 a to change the playback point of adynamic image.

Importance Determiner

The importance determiner 110 determines the importance of an imagedisplayed by the display 12 for the user. The importance is determinedbased on a plurality of evaluation values. The importance is determinedbased on, for example, the sum of a plurality of evaluation values. Inone embodiment, the importance determiner 110 determines the importanceof an image based on first to fourth evaluation values. In other words,the importance determiner 110 uses the sum of the first to fourthevaluation values of an image as the importance of the image. Each ofthe first to fourth evaluation values indicates the result obtained bythe importance determiner 110 evaluating the importance of an imagebased on predetermined evaluation criteria. The first to fourthevaluation values will be each described below in detail.

First Evaluation Value

The first evaluation value is a value by which an image that has beenenlarged and displayed a larger number of times (hereinafter, alsoreferred to as a number of enlargement displays) by the display 12 inthe enlargement display mode is evaluated as having higher importance.An image with a larger number of enlargement displays is, for example,an image that a user favors and views many times, and thus can beregarded as an image having high importance for the user.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart showing an example of the operation inwhich the importance determiner 110 determines the first evaluationvalue. In Step S11, first, the display 12 enlarges and displays aselected image selected from the list display screen 20 a in theenlargement display mode.

In Step S12, next, the importance determiner 110 updates a number ofenlargement displays of the selected image that has been enlarged anddisplayed in Step S11. Herein, the importance determiner 110 stores, inthe storage 103, the number of enlargement displays of an imagedisplayed by the display 12 in association with the image. Then, whenthe selected image is enlarged and displayed in Step S11, in Step S12,the importance determiner 110 increases, by one, the number ofenlargement displays of the selected image. As a result, the number ofenlargement displays of the selected image is updated.

In Step S13, next, the importance determiner 110 determines the firstevaluation value of the image. The first evaluation value is determinedfrom, for example, points 0 to 3. The importance determiner 110increases a first evaluation value of an image as the number ofenlargement displays of the image is larger. For example, the importancedeterminer 110 sets the first evaluation values of the images whosenumber of enlargement displays is 0, 1 to 10, 11 to 20, and 21 or moreas points 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The importance becomes higher asthe first evaluation value is greater, and accordingly, the display 12displays an image larger on the list display screen 20 a as the imagehas a larger number of enlargement displays. This allows the user toeasily find an image with a large number of enlargement displays, thatis, an image having high importance for the user.

The importance determiner 110 increases a first evaluation value of animage as the number of enlargement displays of the image is larger.Alternatively, the importance determiner 110 may increase the firstevaluation value of an image as the image has been enlarged anddisplayed for a longer total time (accumulated time). In this case, theimportance determiner 110 records, in the storage 103, the total time(accumulated time) in which an image has been enlarged and displayed inassociation with the image. When a selected image is enlarged anddisplayed, the importance determiner 110 measures, based on the timeinformation acquired by the timer 17, a display time from the start ofenlarging and displaying the selected image to the end of enlarging anddisplaying the selected image. The importance determiner 110 then addsthe measured display time to the total time of the selected imageenlarged and displayed. This updates the total time in which theselected image has been enlarged and displayed. The importancedeterminer 110 determines the first evaluation value of a selectiontarget image based on the updated total time. In this case, theimportance determiner 110 increases the first evaluation value of animage as the image has been enlarged and displayed for a longer totaltime. The display 12 accordingly displays an image larger on the listdisplay screen 20 a as the image has been enlarged and displayed for alonger total time. The user can thus easily find an image that has beenenlarged and displayed for a long total time. The image that has beenenlarged and displayed for a long total time is, for example, an imagethat the user favors and repeatedly views many times or an image thatthe user views for a long period of time in one enlargement display, andcan accordingly be regarded as an image having high importance for theuser. This allows the user to easily find an image having highimportance.

Second Evaluation Value

The second evaluation value is a value by which an image that has ahigher evaluation value input to the electronic apparatus 1 by the useris evaluated as having higher importance. The second evaluation value isevaluated by the user himself/herself, and accordingly, the image thathas a high second evaluation value can be regarded as an image havinghigh importance for the user.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart showing an example of the operation inwhich the importance determiner 110 determines a second evaluationvalue. In Step S21, first, the touch panel 13 detects a secondevaluation value input manipulation by the user. For example, when thetouch panel 13 detects that the user has performed a predeterminedmanipulation for designating a target image, to which a secondevaluation value is input, on an image to be displayed on the listdisplay screen 20 a, the display 12 in the list display mode displays aninput screen for inputting a second evaluation value of the targetimage. The user inputs the second evaluation value of the target imageusing the input screen. For example, the user can input the number ofstars on the input screen to input the second evaluation value of atarget image. The user performs the manipulation of inputting the numberof stars, from zero to three, on the input screen, namely, the secondevaluation value input manipulation.

In Step S22, next, the importance determiner 110 determines the secondevaluation value of the image. The second evaluation value is determinedfrom, for example, points 0 to 3. The importance determiner 110 sets,for example, the second evaluation values of three images whose numberof stars input in Step S21 is 0, 1, 2, and 3 as points 0, 1, 2, and 3,respectively. The importance becomes higher as the second evaluationvalue is greater. The display 12 accordingly displays an image larger onthe list display screen 20 a as the image is evaluated more highly bythe user. This allows the user to easily find an image highly evaluatedby the user, that is, an image having high importance for the user.

The user can input a new second evaluation value of the image to changethe second evaluation value of the image. The method for inputting asecond evaluation value by the user is not limited to the example above.

Third Evaluation Value

The third evaluation value is a value by which the importance of anevaluation target image is evaluated as being high when the evaluationtarget image is the first superimposed image or the second superimposedimage. The third evaluation value indicates a great value when theevaluation target image is the first superimposed image or the secondsuperimposed image. When the evaluation target image is the firstsuperimposed image, the third evaluation value is a value by which theimportance is evaluated as being higher as the first superimposed imageincludes more continuously shot images. Or, when the evaluation targetimage is the second superimposed image, the third evaluation value is avalue by which the importance is evaluated as being higher as the secondsuperimposed image includes more similar images.

The images captured by continuous shooting are highly likely to beimages in which the user has caught a decisive moment or images in whichthe user desires to record a series of movements of a subject, and thuscan be said to be images having high importance for the user. Similarimages are highly likely to be images that the user has captured againand again by, for example, changing the composition, and thus can besaid to be images having high importance for the user. When the numberof images of a group is large, their importance is said to be higher forthe user.

Before describing the operation in which the importance determiner 110determines the third evaluation value, the continuously shot imagespecifier 120 and the similar image specifier 130 as well as the firstsuperimposed image and the second superimposed image will be describedbelow in detail.

The continuously shot image specifier 120 specifies, from a plurality ofimages in the storage 103, a group of images captured by thecontinuously shooting function of the imager 18 as a continuously shotimage group. Further, the continuously shot image specifier 120specifies, from a plurality of images in the storage 103, a group ofimages continuously captured within a first predetermined period as acontinuously shot image group. In this case, the continuously shot imagespecifier 120 may specify a continuously shot image group based on theinformation on the date and time of image capturing contained in themeta information (meta information associated with an image) embedded inan image. Examples of the information embedded as the meta informationin the image captured by the imager 18 include the name of theelectronic apparatus 1, the information on the date and time of imagecapturing, indicative of the date and time when the image has beencaptured, and the information on the location of image capturing,indicative of the location of the electronic apparatus 1 when the imagehas been captured. Such information conforms to, for example, theexchangeable image file format (Exif) standard. The timer 17 acquiresthe information on the date and time of image capturing, and thelocation information acquirer 16 acquires the information on thelocation of image capturing. A continuously shot image group isspecified when, for example, the image captured by the imager 18 isstored in the storage 103.

The image manager 100 generates a first superimposed image including aplurality of superimposed images that constitute the continuously shotimage group specified by the continuously shot image specifier 120 andthen stores the generated image in the storage 103.

The similar image specifier 130 specifies, from a plurality of imagesstored in the storage 103, an image group composed of a plurality ofimages captured within a second predetermined period based on theinformation on the data and time of image capturing contained in themeta information embedded in an image. As a result, an image groupcomposed of a plurality of images whose dates and times of imagecapturing are close to each other is specified from the plurality ofimages in the storage 103. In this case, a plurality of image groups maybe specified. The second predetermined period is set to a value greaterthan that of the first predetermined period. The similar image specifier130 then judges whether the plurality of images constituting thespecified image group are similar to each other. The well-known imageprocessing technique, such as pattern matching, may be adopted in thejudgment. The similar image specifier 130 sets, as a similar imagegroup, an image group composed of a plurality of images judged to besimilar to each other in this judgment. As a result, a similar imagegroup composed of a plurality of similar images whose dates and times ofimage capturing are close to each other and which are similar to eachother is specified from a plurality of images in the storage 103. Thesimilar image group is specified in this manner when, for example, theimage captured by the imager 18 is stored in the storage 103.

The image manager 100 generates a second superimposed image including aplurality of superimposed similar images specified by the similar imagespecifier 130, whose dates and times of image capturing are close toeach other and which are similar to each other, and then stores thegenerated image in the storage 103.

The criteria by which the similar image specifier 130 identifies similarimages are not limited to those described above. For example, even ifthe date of image capturing differs, the images which have been capturedon times close to each other and in places close to each other may bespecified as similar images. In this case, when the user captures imageson the same time in the same place every day, a superimposed imageincluding the images superimposed on one another can be displayed by thedisplay 12.

Next, the operation in which the importance determiner 110 determinesthe third evaluation value will be described in detail.

The importance determiner 110 sets the third evaluation value as point 0when the evaluation target image is neither the first superimposed imagenor the second superimposed image or sets the third evaluation value aspoint 1 or higher when the evaluation target image is the firstsuperimposed image or the second superimposed image. The importancebecomes higher as the third evaluation value is greater, and thus, thedisplay 12 displays the first superimposed image and the secondsuperimposed image larger on the list display screen 20 a. This allowsthe user to easily find the first superimposed image and the secondsuperimposed image having high importance.

When a first superimposed image is generated, the importance determiner110 determines a third evaluation value of the first superimposed image.The third evaluation value is determined from, for example, points 1 to3. The importance determiner 110 sets a third evaluation value of afirst superimposed image higher as the first superimposed image includesmore continuously shot images. For example, the importance determiner110 sets the third evaluation values of the first superimposed imagesincluding 2 to 10 continuously shot images, 11 to 20 continuously shotimages, and 21 or more continuously shot images as points 1, 2, and 3,respectively. The importance becomes higher as the third evaluationvalue is greater, and accordingly, the display 12 displays a firstsuperimposed image larger on the list display screen 20 a as the firstsuperimposed image includes more continuously shot images. This allowsthe user to easily find a first superimposed image with manycontinuously captured images.

When a second superimposed image is generated, the importance determiner110 determines a third evaluation value of the second superimposedimage. The third evaluation value is determined from, for example,points 1 to 3. The importance determiner 110 sets a third evaluationvalue of a second superimposed image higher as the second superimposedimage includes more similar images. For example, the importancedeterminer 110 sets the third evaluation values of the secondsuperimposed images including 2 to 10 similar images, 11 to 20 similarimages, and 21 or more similar images as points 1, 2, and 3,respectively. The display 12 displays a second superimposed image largeron the list display screen 20 a as the second superimposed imageincludes more similar images. This allows the user to easily find asecond superimposed image including many similar images.

Fourth Evaluation Value

The fourth evaluation value is a value by which the importance isevaluated based on whether an image is a captured image captured by thedevice other than the electronic apparatus 1 (hereinafter, also referredto as a “separate-apparatus-captured image”).

The separate-apparatus-captured image is, for example, an image capturedby an apparatus owned by a person other than the user of the electronicapparatus 1. The electronic apparatus 1 acquires aseparate-apparatus-captured image by communication means such as email.The electronic apparatus 1 is connectable with the apparatus that savesa separate-apparatus-captured image, and acquires theseparate-apparatus-captured image from the apparatus. Theseparate-apparatus-captured image can be regarded as an image havinghigher importance than that of the image captured by the electronicapparatus 1 for the user of the electronic apparatus 1.

FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart showing an example of the operation inwhich the importance determiner 110 determines a fourth evaluationvalue. In Step S41, first, the importance determiner 110 receives anevaluation target image. When the electronic apparatus 1 acquires animage from an external apparatus by email or the like, the image isinput to the importance determiner 110 as an evaluation target image. InStep S42, next, the importance determiner 110 judges whether theevaluation target image is a separate-apparatus-captured image. Theimportance determiner 110 can judge whether the evaluation target imageis a separate-apparatus-captured image based on the information on thetype of an image capturing apparatus which is contained in the metainformation embedded in the evaluation target image.

When the judgment is negative in Step S42, Step S43 is executed. In StepS43, the importance determiner 110 determines the fourth evaluationvalue of the evaluation target image.

The importance determiner 110 sets the importance of theseparate-apparatus-captured image high compared with the image capturedby the electronic apparatus 1. The fourth evaluation value is determinedfrom, for example, points 1 to 3. In Step S43, the importance determiner110 sets the fourth evaluation value of the evaluation target image,which is not a separate-apparatus-captured image, as point 0. Meanwhile,the fourth evaluation value of the evaluation target image, which hasbeen judged as a separate-apparatus-captured image in Step S42, is anyone of points 1 to 3 through the process of Steps S44 to S48. Theimportance becomes higher as the fourth evaluation value is greater, andthus, the display 12 displays the separate-apparatus-captured imagelarger than the other images on the list display screen 20 a. Thisallows the user to easily find a separate-apparatus-captured imagehaving higher importance for the user.

When the judgment is affirmative in Step S42, Step S44 is executed. InStep S44, the importance determiner 110 judges whether a plurality ofimages in the storage 103 which are displayed by the display 12 includea captured image (hereinafter, also referred to as a specific relatedimage) captured, on the date and time close to the date and time whenthe evaluation target image has been captured, by the electronicapparatus 1 in the place in which an evaluation target image has beencaptured. The importance determiner 110 can judge whether a specificrelated image is included by comparing the information on the type of animage capturing apparatus, the information on the date and time of imagecapturing, and the information on the location of image capturing thatare contained in the meta information embedded in each of a plurality ofimages displayed by the display 12 with the information on the type ofan image capturing apparatus, the information on the date and time ofimage capturing, and the information on the location of image capturingthat are contained in the meta information embedded in an evaluationtarget image. The importance determiner 110 sets the image capturedwithin a predetermined period including the date and time when anevaluation target image has been captured as an image captured on thedate and time close to those when the evaluation target image has beencaptured.

When the judgement is affirmative in Step S44, Step S45 is executed. InStep S45, the importance determiner 110 determines a fourth evaluationvalue of the evaluation target image. In Step S45, the importancedeterminer 110 sets the fourth evaluation value of the evaluation targetimage, whose specific related image has been judged to be present, low.The separate-apparatus-captured image, on which affirmative judgment hasbeen made in Step S44, can be regarded as an image having lowerimportance for the user because the user has also captured an image withthe electronic apparatus 1 in the place of image capturing when theseparate-apparatus-captured image has been captured. In Step S45, theimportance determiner 110 sets, for example, the fourth evaluation valueof the target image as point 1.

When the judgment is negative in Step S44, meanwhile, Step S46 isexecuted. In Step S46, the importance determiner 110 judges whether theuser has been in the place in which a separate-apparatus-captured image(evaluation target image) has been captured when theseparate-apparatus-captured image has been captured. In other words, theimportance determiner 110 judges whether the electronic apparatus 1 hasbeen in the place in which a separate-apparatus-captured image has beencaptured when the separate-apparatus-captured image has been captured.In one embodiment, the electronic apparatus 1 stores the information onthe current date and the information on the current time acquired by thetimer 17 and the information on the location of the electronic apparatus1 acquired by the location information acquirer 16 in the storage 103every predetermined time. This allows the electronic apparatus 1 to knowwhen and where it has been present. In Step S46, the importancedeterminer 110 compares the information on date, the information ontime, and the information on the location of the electronic apparatus 1that have been acquired every predetermined time with the information onthe date and time and the information on the location when and where aseparate-apparatus-captured image (evaluation target image) has beencaptured, thereby judging whether the electronic apparatus 1 has beenpresent in the place in which the separate-apparatus-captured image hasbeen captured when the separate-apparatus-captured image has beencaptured.

When the judgment is negative in Step S46, Step S47 is executed. In StepS47, the importance determiner 110 determines a fourth evaluation valueof the evaluation target image. When the judgment is affirmative in StepS46, meanwhile, Step S48 is executed. In Step S48, the importancedeterminer 110 determines the fourth evaluation value of the evaluationtarget image.

The separate-apparatus-captured image (evaluation target image) on whichaffirmative judgment has been made in Step S46 can be regarded as animage having higher importance for the user because the user hascaptured no image with the electronic apparatus 1 even though the userhas been in the place of image capturing when theseparate-apparatus-captured image has been captured. In Step S48,accordingly, the importance determiner 110 sets the fourth evaluationvalue of the evaluation target image as point 3. In Step S47, theimportance determiner 110 sets the fourth evaluation value of theevaluation target image as point 2.

In this manner, the importance determiner 110 determines the first tofourth evaluation values of each of the images displayed by the display12 in the list display mode. The importance determiner 110 then sets,for each of the images displayed by the display 12 in the list displaymode, the sum of the first to fourth evaluation values of the image asthe importance of the image. The importance of an image determined bythe importance determiner 110 is any one of points 0 to 12.

The criteria and points of judgment when each evaluation value isdetermined are not limited to the above. For example, when an imageincludes a specific person such as his/her child, the importance of theimage may be evaluated as being high using a face recognition techniqueor any other technique. Alternatively, a dynamic image may be evaluatedas having high importance or may be evaluated as having high importancewhen the playback of the dynamic image (viewing by a user) has notcompleted, that is, when the slider bar 22 b is between the startingpoint and the ending point of the seek bar 22 a.

Display Size Determiner

The display size determiner 140 determines, based on the importance ofan image determined by the importance determiner 110, the display sizeof the image in the list display screen 20 a. The display sizedeterminer 140 increases the display size of an image as the importanceof the image is higher. In one embodiment, the display sizes of theimages displayed by the display 12 in the list display mode areclassified into five display sizes based on the importance of eachimage. For example, the display 12 displays the images having theimportance of points 0 to 2 in a first display size, the images havingthe importance of points 3 and 4 in a second display size, the imageshaving the importance of points 5 and 6 in a third display size, theimages having the importance of points 7 and 8 in a fourth display size,and the images having the importance of point 9 or more in a fifthdisplay size.

The image of the first display size has, for example, a square shape. Ifthe length-to-width dimensions of the first display size are defined tobe 1×1, the length-to-width dimensions of the second, fourth, and fifthdisplay sizes are 2×2, 3×3, and 4×4, respectively. The length-to-widthdimensions of the third display size are 2×3 or 3×2 in accordance withthe length-width ratio of an image.

In the illustration of FIG. 6, the images 21 b, 21 d to 21 j, 21 l, and21 m are displayed in the first display size (dimensions of 1×1), theimages 21 a and 21 c are displayed in the second display size(dimensions of 2×2), and the image 21 k is displayed in thelaterally-long third display size (dimensions of 2×3).

FIGS. 12 and 13 schematically illustrate examples of the list displayscreen 20 a. In the illustration of FIG. 12, the images 21 d, 21 f, and21 j of the first display size (dimensions of 1×1), the image 23 in thefourth display size (dimensions of 3×3), and the image 24 of thelongitudinally-long third display size (dimensions of 3×2) aredisplayed. In the illustration of FIG. 13, the image 21 f of the firstdisplay size (dimensions of 1×1) and an image 25 of the fifth displaysize (dimensions of 4×4) are displayed.

Although images are displayed in the entire display area 2 a in theillustration of FIG. 6 due to many images to be displayed, with fewimages to be displayed, images may be displayed in part of the displayarea 2 a as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13.

Arrangement Determiner

The arrangement determiner 150 determines the arrangements of aplurality of images in the list display screen 20 a. The arrangementdeterminer 150 determines the arrangements of a plurality of images inthe list display screen 20 a in such a manner that the plurality ofimages are arranged with the smallest possible gap.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of the configuration of the arrangementdeterminer 150. The arrangement determiner 150 includes an empty blockspecifier 151, an arrangement judgment module 152, and an imagearrangement module 153.

FIG. 15 illustrates a flowchart showing an example of the operation ofthe arrangement determiner 150. FIGS. 16 to 20 illustrate the operationof the arrangement determiner 150. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS.16 to 20, the operation of the arrangement determiner 150 will bedescribed in detail along the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 15. The casein which a plurality of images are arranged in the list display screen20 a as in FIG. 6 will be described below as an example.

In Step S51, first, the arrangement determiner 150 determines anarrangement target image from a plurality of images in the storage 103.Herein, first, the image 21 a is determined as an arrangement targetimage. The arrangement determiner 150 sets a plurality of imagesdisplayed on the list display screen 20 a as arrangement target imagesin, for example, a chronological order of the date and time of imagecapturing.

In Steps S52 to S54, next, the arrangement determiner 150 executes theprocessing of arranging the arrangement target image in the list displayscreen 20 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 16, the list display screen 20 a is divided intoa plurality of blocks in matrix which are used as the reference when thearrangement determiner 150 arranges an image. In the illustration ofFIG. 16, boundaries between the blocks are indicated by chaindouble-dashed lines for description. In the illustration of FIG. 16,blocks of six rows by four columns are shown. The size of each block isequal to the first display size. A number in the lower right-hand corneris a number for explaining the position of the block. Numbers are addedto the respective blocks sequentially along the raster directionstarting from the upper left block. In FIGS. 16 to 20, the blocks with“1” to “24” are referred to as blocks B1 to B24, respectively.

In Step S52, in the list display screen 20 a, the empty block specifier151 specifies an empty block in which no image is arranged and whichappears first when a plurality of blocks are viewed sequentially alongthe raster direction starting from the upper left block. The processingin Step S52 may be referred to as first processing. In the illustrationof FIG. 16, no image is arranged in the list display screen 20 a, andthus, the empty block specifier 151 specifies the block B1 as an emptyblock.

In Step S53, the arrangement judgment module 152 judges whether anarrangement target image can be arranged in the empty block specified inStep S52. The processing in Step S53 may be referred to as secondprocessing. In the second processing, the arrangement judgment module152 judges whether the arrangement target image can be arranged in sucha manner that the upper left corner of the empty block coincides withthe upper left corner of the arrangement target image. When the judgmentis affirmative in Step S53, Step S54 is executed. In Step S54, the imagearrangement module 153 arranges the arrangement target image in such amanner that the upper left corner of the empty block specified in StepS52 coincides with the upper left corner of the arrangement targetimage. The processing in Step S54 may be referred to as thirdprocessing.

In one example, in Step S53, the arrangement judgment module 152 judgeswhether the image 21 a can be arranged in the block B1. The image 21 ais of the second display size (dimensions of 2×2), and thus, thearrangement judgment module 152 judges whether there are empty blocks of2×2. When the image 21 a is arranged in such a manner that the upperleft corner of the block B1 coincides with the upper left corner of theimage 21 a, the arrangement judgment module 152 judges whether theblocks B1, B2, B5, and B6 are empty. No image is arranged in theseblocks in the illustration of FIG. 16, and thus, the arrangementjudgment module 152 judges that the image 21 a can be arranged in theseblocks. As illustrated in FIG. 17, then, the image arrangement module153 arranges the image 21 a in the blocks B1, B2, B5, and B6.

In Step S55, next, the arrangement determiner 150 judges whether all theimages to be displayed on the list display screen 20 a have beenarranged. When the judgment is affirmative in Step S55, Step S56 isexecuted. In Step S56, the arrangement determiner 150 ends theprocessing of arranging an image. When the judgment is negative in StepS55, meanwhile, Step S51 is executed again. That is, Steps S52 to S55are repeatedly executed until all the images to be displayed on the listdisplay screen 20 a are arranged.

In one example, the image 21 b is determined as an arrangement targetimage in Step S51 executed in the second round. The image 21 b is of thefirst display size (dimensions of 1×1). In Steps S52 to S55, then, thearrangement determiner 150 executes the processing for determining thearrangement of the image 21 b. As illustrated in FIG. 17, with the image21 a arranged, the empty block specifier 151 specifies the block B3 asan empty block. As illustrated in FIG. 18, then, the image arrangementmodule 153 arranges the image 21 b in the block B3.

In Step S51 executed in the third round, the image 21 c is determined asan arrangement target image. The image 21 c is of the second displaysize (dimensions of 2×2). In Steps S52 to S55, then, the arrangementdeterminer 150 executes the processing for determining the arrangementof the image 21 c.

With the images 21 a and 21 b arranged as illustrated in FIG. 18, theempty block specifier 151 specifies the block B4 as an empty block. Thearrangement judgment module 152 then judges whether the image 21 c canbe arranged in such a manner that the upper left corner of the block B4coincides with the upper left corner of the image 21 c. Arranging theimage 21 c in this manner requires empty blocks of 2×2. In theillustration of FIG. 18, there are no empty blocks of 2×2 where theblock B4 is the upper left block, and thus, in Step S53, the arrangementjudgment module 152 judges that the image 21 c cannot be arranged.

When the judgment is negative in Step S53, Step S52 is executed again.In Step S52 in the second and subsequent rounds for the same arrangementtarget image, the empty block specifier 151 specifies an empty blockthat appears first when a plurality of blocks except for the specifiedempty blocks are viewed sequentially along the raster direction startingfrom the upper left block. The empty block specifier 151 sequentiallyspecifies the next empty block until it is judged in Step S53 that anarrangement target image can be arranged.

In the illustration of FIG. 18, the empty block specifier 151 specifiesthe block B7 as an empty block other than the block B4. The arrangementjudgment module 152 then judges whether the image 21 c can be arrangedin such a manner that the upper left corner of the block B7 coincideswith the upper left corner of the image 21 c. In the illustration ofFIG. 18, blocks of 2×2, composed of the blocks B7, B8, B11, and B12, areempty, and thus, as illustrated in FIG. 19, the image arrangement module153 arranges the image 21 c in the blocks B7, B8, B11, and B12.

In Step S51 executed in the fourth round, the image 21 d is determinedas an arrangement target image. The image 21 d is of the first displaysize (dimensions of 1×1). With the images 21 a to 21 c arranged asillustrated in FIG. 19, in Step S52, the empty block specifier 151specifies the block B4 as an empty block. Then, it is judged in Step S53that the arrangement target image can be arranged, and as illustrated inFIG. 20, in Step S54, the image arrangement module 153 arranges theimage 21 d in the block B4.

Hereinafter, the arrangement determiner 150 operates similarly, therebydetermining the arrangements of all the images to be displayed on thelist display screen 20 a. The display 12 displays the list displayscreen 20 a including a plurality of images arranged in accordance withthe arrangements determined by the arrangement determiner 150.

Through the operation of the arrangement determiner 150 in this manner,a plurality of images of different display sizes can be arranged withthe smallest possible gap on the list display screen 20 a. Thedimensions of the list display screen 20 a can accordingly be reduced.This allows the user to more easily specify an important image from aplurality of images in the list display screen 20 a.

The description above is applicable to the case in which all of aplurality of images stored in the storage 103 are displayed alongsideeach other in a chronological order of the date and time of imagecapturing as well as to the case where part of a plurality of imagesstored in the storage 103 are displayed alongside each other in achronological order of the date and time of image capturing, forexample, the case where images are arranged every month or date of imagecapturing.

Although the description has been made on the case where the technologyaccording to the embodiments of the present disclosure is applied to amobile phone, the technology according to the embodiments of the presentdisclosure is applicable to any electronic apparatus as long as itincludes a display that displays a plurality of images alongside eachother. For example, the technology according to the embodiments of thepresent disclosure is also applicable to personal computers, tabletterminals, or wearable electronic apparatuses worn on the arm or thelike.

While the electronic apparatus 1 has been shown and described in detail,the foregoing description is in all aspects illustrative and notrestrictive. Also, the variations are applicable in combination as longas they are consistent with each other. It is therefore understood thatnumerous modifications and variations can be devised without departingfrom the scope of the present disclosure.

1. An electronic apparatus comprising: a display comprising a firstdisplay mode in which a plurality of images are displayed alongside eachother; and at least one processor that determines importance of an imageand determines a display size of each of the plurality of images,wherein the at least one processor increases the display size of animage as the importance of the image is higher.
 2. The electronicapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display in the first displaymode displays a first image, which is a continuously shot image groupcaptured in one continuous shooting, and the first image comprise aplurality of continuously shot images.
 3. The electronic apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein the at least one processor judges whethera target image whose importance is to be determined is the first imageand, based on a judgment result, determines the importance of the targetimage.
 4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein whenthe target image is the first image, the at least one processordetermines the importance of the target image based on the number ofcontinuously shot images.
 5. The electronic apparatus according to claim2, wherein the display displays the first image while sequentiallyswitching a topmost image among the plurality of continuously shotimages of the first image.
 6. The electronic apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein: at least one processor specifies, from a plurality ofimages displayed by the display, a plurality of similar images whosedates and times of image capturing are close to each other and which aresimilar to each other, and the display in the first display modedisplays a second image comprising the plurality of similar imagessuperimposed on each other.
 7. The electronic apparatus according toclaim 6, wherein the at least one processor judges whether a targetimage whose importance is to be determined is the second image and,based on a judgment result, determines the importance of the targetimage.
 8. The electronic apparatus according to claim 7, wherein whenthe target image is the second image, the at least one processordetermines the importance of the target image based on the number of theplurality of similar images.
 9. The electronic apparatus according toclaim 6, wherein the display displays the second image whilesequentially switching a topmost image among the plurality of similarimages of the second image.
 10. The electronic apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the at least one processor judges whether a targetimage whose importance is to be determined is a first captured imagecaptured by an apparatus other than the electronic apparatus and, basedon a judgment result, determines the importance of the target image. 11.The electronic apparatus according to claim 10, wherein when the targetimage is the first captured image, the at least one processor performs afirst judgment of judging whether a plurality of images displayed by thedisplay include a second captured image captured, on a date and timeclose to a date and time when the target image has been captured, by theelectronic apparatus in a place in which the target image has beencaptured and, based on a result of the first judgment, determines theimportance of the target image.
 12. The electronic apparatus accordingto claim 11, wherein when the target image is the first captured image,the at least one processor performs a second judgment of judging whetherthe electronic apparatus is in a place in which the target image iscaptured when the target image is captured and, based on a result of thesecond judgment and the result of the first judgment determines theimportance of the target image.
 13. The electronic apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein: the display comprises a second display mode inwhich an image is displayed larger than in the first display mode, andthe at least one processor determines the importance of a target imagewhose importance is to be determined based on the number of displays ora display time in which the display in the second display mode hasdisplayed the target image.
 14. The electronic apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the at least one processor determines, based on a userevaluation of a target image whose importance is to be determined,importance of the target image.
 15. The electronic apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the display in the first display mode displays adynamic image while playing back the dynamic image.
 16. The electronicapparatus according to claim 1, wherein: a display screen which isdisplayed by the display in the first display mode and in which aplurality of images are arranged is divided into a plurality of blocksin matrix, the at least one processordetermines arrangements of aplurality of images in the display screen, the at least one processorexecutes, in arranging an arrangement target image in the displayscreen, first processing of specifying an empty block that appears firstwhen the plurality of blocks are viewed sequentially along a rasterdirection starting from an upper left block, second processing ofjudging whether the arrangement target image is allowed to be arrangedin such a manner that an upper left corner of the empty block coincideswith an upper left corner of the arrangement target image, and thirdprocessing of arranging, when judging that the arrangement target imageis allowed to be arranged in the second processing, the arrangementtarget image in such a manner that the upper left corner of the emptyblock coincides with the upper left corner of the arrangement targetimage, and when judging that the arrangement target image is not allowedto be arranged in the second processing, the at least one processorrepeatedly executes the first processing and the second processing untilthe third processing is executed, and in the first processing in secondand subsequent rounds, specifies the empty block that appears first whenthe plurality of blocks except for the specified empty block are viewedalong the raster direction starting from an upper left block.
 17. Anon-transitory storage medium readable by a computer configured to storea control program that controls an electronic apparatus, the storagemedium storing the control program configured to cause the electronicapparatus to execute (a) displaying a plurality of images alongside eachother; (b) determining importance of an image; and (c) determining adisplay size of each of the plurality of images, wherein in the step(c), the display size of an image is increased as the importance of theimage is higher.
 18. A method for displaying an image, comprising: (a)displaying a plurality of images alongside each other; (b) determiningimportance of an image; and (c) determining a display size of each ofthe plurality of images, wherein in the step (c), the display size of animage is increased as the importance of the image is higher.